First Airbus Aircraft Produced in the U.S. Takes Flight

2016-03-22

Photo: Airbus press release

The first Airbus aircraft produced in the U.S. Manufacturing Facility has flown for the first time. The A321, destined for JetBlue took off from the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley in Mobile, Alabama, at 9:36 a.m., performed its test sequences, and landed safely at 1:02 p.m.

The aircraft was flown by Test Pilots Mark McCullins and Bruce Macdonald. They were accompanied on the flight by Flight Test Engineers Thierry Cros and Nick Picconi, and Ground Test Engineers/Cabin Specialists Alexander Gentzsch and Mike Johns.

The flight lasted 3 hours and 26 minutes during which tests were performed on systems, engines and structure performance.

More than 300 employees who work at the facility cheered as the plane took-off. “We’ve come to an exciting milestone in the production of any aircraft, but this one is particularly special,” said Daryl Taylor, Vice President and General Manager of the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility. “The Mobile team has worked hard, and I’m proud that their skill and talent have brought us to this moment. Together we are fulfilling the promise we made to the city of Mobile, the state of Alabama, and the Gulf Coast region—we’re creating a new center of commercial aircraft production in the U.S. This is just the first of many aircraft to come.”

Following the maiden flight, the aircraft will go through a few more weeks in final production before being delivered to JetBlue.

The A321 is the largest member of the A320 Family offering passengers state-of-the-art cabin design, wider seats and superior comfort whilst airlines benefit from the unique operational flexibility of Airbus’ single-aisle aircraft. With a range of up to 7,400km / 4,000nm, the A321 is able to fly longer routes as for example Europe to U.S. The A320 Family is the world’s best- selling single aisle product line with over 12,400 orders and close to 6,700 aircraft delivered to some 300 customers worldwide.

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